Housing & Dining Accommodations

Fairmont State University is dedicated to ensuring that students with disabilities are able to fully participate in all aspects of University life. We believe that living on campus and being part of the campus community are integral parts of a students college experience. We strive to meet the housing and dining needs of students with documented disabilities.

Housing and dining accommodations are provided on a case-by-case basis. To qualify, the student must have a current condition that substantially limits a major life activity, and the accommodation request must be necessary and reasonable. A diagnosis, in and of itself, does not automatically qualify one for accommodations.

Housing accommodation requests should be made prior to the priority deadline. Fulfillment of an approved request cannot be immediately guaranteed and may be impacted by space availability, but we are more likely to be able to meet the individual's accommodation needs when requests are made according to these deadlines. The priority deadline is June 1st for Fall and November 1st for Spring.

Some examples of housing and dining accommodations include, but are not limited to:

• A grab bar in the dorm bathroom
• Roll in shower
• Visual fire alarm
• Gluten free meals
• Nut free meals

Please note that adjustments to a student’s residential space such as living with a particular roommate, religious preference, proximity to academic/campus buildings, space for an ESA, or desire for a quiet/undisturbed place to study are considered housing preferences. Matters such as these are not accommodation needs and should instead be directed to Housing and Residence Life.

A housing accommodation due to disability is generally not provided for any of the following reasons: 

• Solely to ensure the student is successful at Fairmont State University (accommodations in higher education are to provide access, not success).
• To ensure a quiet, solitary place for studying. The Fairmont State University library has spaces available for students to study.  
• To increase comfort or alleviate discomfort in the housing arrangement (such as by having a specific roommate or having a roommate free experience to avoid addressing typical roommate conflicts). 
• To ensure a private space for virtual appointments. 
• To serve as an alternative to the student developing the skills, abilities, and practices necessary to effectively live on campus (through trial-and-error, counseling, life coaching, Fairmont State University resources, such as Counseling Services, or other strategies). 
• To serve as an alternative to the student developing the skills, abilities, and practices necessary to effectively live off campus should space no longer be guaranteed (through trial-and-error, counseling, life coaching, Fairmont State University resources, or other strategies).
• When a request is meant for the housing space to serve as part of a student’s treatment plan for their diagnosis or for Fairmont State University to serve as a student’s primary treatment or medical plan/resource.
• To increase comfort by making it easier to manage an academic schedule (such as by not having to plan for a shuttle ride or commute time).
• To alleviate discomfort with living off campus (such as having to plan when to come to campus, where/when to eat, the number of daily trips needed to campus, etc.).
• Concerns about living independently for the first time away from on-campus housing. 
• For safety and/or perceived greater access to Student Health Services or Campus Police.  
• Due to limited transportation options. 
• Due to financial concerns (whether related to disability or not). 

At times, an accommodation may be deemed reasonable for disability reasons but is not reasonable or immediately doable within the context of a specific housing experience after further analysis and/or discussion with Housing and Residence Life. In these situations, OAS will attempt to identify other reasonable accommodations if possible. A requested accommodation may be unreasonable or not immediately doable if:  

• All rooms meeting the accommodation request are already assigned for the given semester 
• Implementation would pose an undue financial or administrative burden 
• Implementation would fundamentally alter university housing policies 
• Facilitation poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others or to personal and Fairmont State University property 

Key Information:

• The goal of dining accommodations is to provide students access within the Dining Hall when at all possible. Options such as a meal plan exemption will only be considered if Dining Services is not able to accommodate the need within the Dining Hall.
• Housing accommodations are provided to resolve matters that the student could not otherwise address through preparation, practice, counseling/coaching/professional guidance, adjustment to expectations and routines, or implementation of other strategies that any student who lives on or off campus must consider and incorporate to continue to be successful Fairmont State University students.
• For students who have trouble concentrating and studying in their room, a single room is not typically warranted. By virtue of the shared facilities, resources, and the number of people living under one roof in the residence halls, a single room does not necessarily provide a quieter, more distraction-free space than a standard shared room. Students are encouraged to utilize quiet study spaces around campus such as the 3rd floor of the library and private study rooms in the library, along with other tools such as noise canceling headphones/earplugs.